Hyundai Motor Co., the fifth largest automobile manufacturer in the world, working together with Kia Motors Corp. plans to produce the Sonata sedan version of the plug-in hybrid in bulk in 2013.
Hyundai has completed the development of plug-in hybrid cars and have tested purnarupa, according to South Korean newspaper reported, Chosun Ilbo quoted as saying by Reuters earlier this week.
Hyundai spokesman said the company plans to spend an electric model in 2013 but he did not specify the model to be released.
Vehicle-tech plug-in hybrid can recharge the battery using ordinary electricity, unlike conventional hybrid cars that will recharge the battery only when the driver hit the brakes.
Hyundai and Kia known to slow in the race electric cars because they focus on fuel-efficient cars.
General Motors Co. previously has introduced a hybrid Volt, while Toyota plans to launch a similar car in 2011 and Honda in 2012.
Hyundai plans to launch hybrid Sonata sedan in South Korea in May, while the Kia Optima Hybrid will be issued in the same month.
"There are some obstacles to issue a pure electric car for short distances and lack of recharging facilities,"the Hyundai official statement quoted by Chosun Ilbo.
source:http://otomotif.antaranews.com/news/1301979907/hyundai-dan-kia-siapkan-hybrid
